Timber

The Types of Timber 

Timbers are large squared lengths of wood primarily purposed for building a house. There are all sorts of construction timbers out there on the market, each with its own unique set of properties. Here's a quick rundown of some of the most popular options:

• Softwoods: These are typically lighter and less expensive than hardwoods, making them a popular choice for general construction purposes. However, they're not as durable as hardwoods, so they're not ideal for applications where long-term wear and tear is a concern. Softwood is wood from gymnosperm trees such as conifers.
• Hardwoods: Hardwoods are more durable than softwoods and are often used for flooring, decking, and other high-traffic structure areas. They can be more expensive than softwoods, but their longer lifespan often makes them a more cost-effective option in the long run.
• Engineered Woods: Engineered woods are created by combining different types of wood fibers to create a product that is stronger and more stable than solid wood. This makes them ideal for use in areas where moisture or temperature fluctuations could cause problems for solid wood products.

Roof Battens

A roof batten – sometimes called a timber batten, tile batten, wooden batten, counter batten, roofing lat or cladding batten – is a length of timber which is used in the construction of roofs and other structures. They are a very common building material and are relatively cheap to buy. However, in terms of their strength, they aren’t graded as they don’t serve any structural purpose and are not load-bearing. 

Here at Materials Market we are a leading supplier of roofing materials and sell a range of roof batten sizes pre-cut to specific lengths, including 19mm x 38mm, 25mm x 38mm and 25mm x 50mm.

Light Construction Work

Timber is used in the construction of properties and built into the floors, walls and ceilings. A few examples include:

• Floor joists: Floor joists are an important part of any home. They provide structural support for the floors and roof and play a key role in keeping your home safe and sturdy. They span horizontally across the foundations of a building, or between walls and structural beams.
• Beams: If you were to look up at the roof from the shell of a building, you’d see one long beam running across the length of it, supported by individual joists. They are usually the thickest and most important structural aspect of a roof or levels within a building.
• Rafters: Rafters run from a ridge (a horizontal junction between two roof slopes) to a wall, and are installed side by side to provide support to a roof.
• Studs: Studs are vertical framing components that keep windows, doors, and insulation in place. They make up the majority of a wall's frame and hold it in position.